By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times
If you’re an Eagles fan (and who in this area isn’t?) and you’d like a chance to see your heroes up close (and maybe even get an autograph), you’ll have a golden opportunity to do it this weekend.Many of the Philadelphia Eagles standouts from the Super Bowl LIX season along with the Super Bowl MVP Jalen Hurts will be autograph guests this weekend’s Philadelphia Sportscard & Memorabilia Show, which is running from March 7-9 at the Greater Expo Center (100 Station Avenue, Oaks, phillyexpocenter.com).
The roster features of this year’s Eagles squad including DaVonta Smith, Darren Sproles, Dallas Goedert, Jake Elliott and Jeremiah Trotter Jr. (plus his dad, Eagles Hall of Famer Jermiah Trotter Sr.).
The show will feature dealers from all over the country who will be selling a wide array of sports-related items such as game-used equipment, autographed balls, posters, magazine, game programs and autographed pictures – and plenty of Philadelphia sports memorabilia. Visitors can also find a huge selection of collectors’ supplies including protective sheets, binders, ball protectors and display cases.
Another major focus of the show will be trading cards — especially baseball cards. Show attendees will be able to find everything from ultra-rare vintage Honus Wagner and Babe Ruth cards to the latest releases. All sports will be represented, including football, soccer, ice hockey, basketball, wrestling, Olympics and UFC.
Show hours are 3-8 p.m. on Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturday and 9 a.m.-3 p.m. on Sunday.
Admission to the show is $15 at the door. Children (10-and-under) are admitted free with a paying adult.
The Greater Philadelphia Expo Center is presenting two very different events this weekend.
Pet Expo
If you’re a pet owner or just a lover of pets in general, there’s an event for you this weekend at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center. From March 7-10, the huge convention hall is hosting the Greater Philadelphia Pet Expo.
The Expo features a huge number of vendors offering virtually everything pet-related including pet food, supplies, training, pet hospital information, treats and lodging. There will also be booths operated by humane groups and rescue services.
Admission is $15 for adults and $5 for children (ages 4-12). As an added attraction, Friday night is “Family Night” with all children under 12 admitted free.
March 7 is the day for First Friday happenings around the area.
Visitors can head to Downtown West Chester (www.downtownwestchester.com) on March 7 for First Friday activities.
Along with extended hours, events, and sales at stores, there will be a cocktail reception at Church Street Gallery, an “Open Studio” event at Ginko Arts and a Dueling Pianos show at Kildare’s Irish Pub.
Street-level, metered parking is free after 5 p.m.
Lancaster’s popular First Friday (http://www.visitlancastercity.com/first-friday/) is an arts extravaganza that runs from 5-9 p.m. on March 7.
Visitors to downtown Lancaster will have the opportunity to discover innovative exhibitions, performances and perhaps a few surprises as they walk the streets lined with trees and distinctive architecture.
Unique boutiques and excellent restaurants complement the art galleries, artisan studios, museums, performing groups, professional theater, symphony orchestra and art college that form Lancaster’s arts community.
Another First Friday event this weekend will take place in Old City Philadelphia (230 Vine Street and locations throughout Old City Philadelphia, 215- 625-9200,www.oldcitydistrict.org).
On the first Friday of each month — year-round — Old City’s galleries, studios, shops and restaurants open their doors for First Friday, in an epic exhibition of the neighborhood’s vibrant arts scene.
Old City Arts Association launched First Friday in 1991 to introduce Philadelphia to the improving neighborhood and the artists and designers who were bringing it back to life.
Two decades later, Old City is a nationally recognized arts destination, named in 2013 as one of the country’s top ArtPlaces by the ArtPlace Foundation.
On the first Friday evening of every month, the streets of Old City fill with art lovers of all kinds who wander among the neighborhood’s 40-plus galleries, most of which are open from 5-9 p.m.
This First Friday, Pentimenti will present “Tender Ground,” a solo exhibition by Anna Wehrwein, along with “Beauty We Forge,” a two-person exhibition featuring Natalie Kuenzi and Emmanuela Soria Ruiz. Both exhibitions will be on view through March 8.
St. Patrick’s Day is approaching so break out the green and get ready to party.
Even though March 17 is officially St. Patrick’s Day, this weekend also features some St. Patty’s Day celebrations.
One of the best events is the ICCD (Irish Culture Club of Delaware) St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Wilmington.
Traditionally, the parade is on the Saturday before St. Patrick’s Day, unless the holiday falls on a Saturday. Then it’s staged the weekend before.
That means the 48th annual staging of the festive event will be held this Saturday – March 8.
As always, the parade starts at noon at Fourth and King streets and ends at St. Patrick’s Church at the intersection of 14th Street and King Street.
If you snooze, you lose.
2025 Philadelphia Flower Show
This weekend is your last chance to attend the 2025 Philadelphia Flower Show at the Pennsylvania Convention Center (12th and Arch streets, Philadelphia, www.theflowershow.com) which runs through March 9.
The PHS (Philadelphia Horticultural Society) Philadelphia Flower Show, which runs through March 9, is the nation’s largest and longest-running horticultural event and features stunning displays by the world’s premier floral and landscape designers.
First staged in 1829, the Show introduces diverse plant varieties and sustainable garden and design concepts.
Usually, when events have to be moved, they move indoors because of inclement weather.
In 2021 and 2022, the Philadelphia Flower Show had to move – outdoors because of COVID restraints.
Held indoors once again after two years in FDR Park, the Philadelphia Flower Show returns to the Pennsylvania Convention Center.
The theme, “Gardens of Tomorrow,” invites guests to explore the future through the eyes of visionary designers, expert gardeners, and passionate green enthusiasts as they merge nature’s brilliance with human ingenuity.
Visitors can expect breathtaking displays by the world’s premier floral and landscape designers, as well as musical performances from a slate of hand-picked artists.
Alongside all the Flower Show elements you know and love, like the world’s biggest plant competition, unique shopping experiences, and activities for all ages, you’ll see and hear what the most innovative plant experts from around world think the future of gardening will be through their exhibits at the “Know to Grow” speaker series.
Several designers create the largest gardens in the show’s history to transport visitors into immersive, 360-degree floral worlds — blurring the lines between indoors and out.
This year’s event also features some of the largest gardens in its history, with floral scapes that range in size from 2,200 to 2,900 square feet.
The show, which is presented every year by the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society and celebrates its 196th anniversary in 20233, treats visitors to a spectacle of floral displays in every size, style and shape imaginable.
The show will feature 10 acres of exhibition halls with floral displays and vendors and provide visitors with all new interactive experiences. This inviting part of the show will feature garden trends, chats with experts, and hands-on learning sessions for gardeners to become even greener.
Guests are encouraged to enhance their Flower Show visit each day with other popular experiences, including Flower Show Guided Tours in the early morning and now also in the evening, Butterflies Live, and Make & Take DIY.
The Flower Show also features an exciting competition that brings together thousands of plant lovers who compete in hundreds of categories.
The show’s biggest attraction each year is the massive “Marketplace” featuring over 150 vendors from all over America and several European nations. They will be selling flowers, orchids, floral-inspired furniture, sheds, artwork and unique garden-related crafts and supplies.
Throughout the week, hundreds of gardening experts will provide learning opportunities in the Lecture Series.
Be prepared for large crowds during the weekend hours. If you want a more leisurely visit, plan to visit the show during the week.
Also, take public transportation if possible. Vehicular traffic in the area is frequently a nightmare and parking lots tend to fill up early even though they are charging exorbitant fees.
Tickets for the Philadelphia Flower Show are $39.99 on weekdays and $49.99 on weekends for adults, $25/$30 for students (ages 18-24) and $20/$25 for children (ages 5-17).
There is another special event that is running through Sunday.
“Astra Lumina Philadelphia” is an enchanted night walk at the Abington Art Center (515 Meetinghouse Road, Jenkintown, https://astralumina.com/philadelphia) invites the audience to discover the wonder of visiting stars – to set off across mysterious grounds to discover a celestial pathway of lustrous light, cosmic visions, and astral song.
Created by the visionary minds at Moment Factory, “Astra Lumina Philadelphia” is the 24th experience in the Lumina Night Walk series.
Located on a historic 27-acre campus, Abington Art Center is a beautiful setting for the enchanting Astra Lumina. The campus has been transformed to create a magical journey.
Participants wander along specially designed pathways that weave through the forest landscape and immerse themselves in the wonder of Astra Lumina.
Highlights of the tour — Stroll along an enchanted one-mile night walk guiding visitors of all ages on a journey to discover the wonder of visiting stars, experience nature come alive through nine cosmic installations, marvel at the stars falling to your feet from 20 feet above and immerse yourself in a field of thousands of pixel lights.
“Astra Lumina Philadelphia” will run through March 9.
The Elmwood Park Zoo (1661 Harding Boulevard, Norristown, www.elmwoodparkzoo.org) is hosting its “Winterfest” this weekend. The popular annual event will be held on March 8 and 9.An invitation has been issued to frolic in the frost at Elmwood Park Zoo’s Winterfest Weekend.
The Zoo is embracing the chilly weather with winter-themed entertainment and fun activities.
Guests can slide into excitement on a 20-foot ice slide crafted by the talented Ice Concepts.
They also will be able to meet the Zoo’s adorable animal ambassadors, dance to live music, take a spin on the carousel, and warm up by the fire while crafting a delicious s’more.
Plus, guests 21-and-older can indulge in drink specials at ZooBrew to add a spirited touch to the winter festivities.
The Slide is weather permitting. Additional fees may be required for on-site activities.
The event runs from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. each day.
Admission fees start at $14.99.
The Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania (300 Gap Road, Ronks, 717-687-8628, www.rrmuseumpa.org), has a special event this weekend that is both fun and educational — “Reading on The Rails.”
“Reading on The Rails,” which will be held on March 8, is geared for youngsters. Kids pick up their very own cardboard suitcase and use it to travel from story to story.
They can collect a sticker after each story and create their own suitcase design with stickers, crayons, sparkles and other trimmings.
As an added attraction they will receive a little gift to put inside their suitcase (while supplies last).
Stories will take place at 10:30, 11:15 and 11:45 a.m. and 1:15, 2, and 2:30 p.m. among the historic trains in Rolling Stock Hall.
Some of the featured readers will be J. J. Landis, director, Strasburg-Heisler Library; Greg Seiger, third grade teacher, Manheim Township School District; Patrick Morrison (Director of the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania); and Juliette O’Connor (educator at the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania).
Tickets are $10 for adults (ages 12-64), $9 for Seniors (65+), $8 for Youth (ages 3-11) and free for Children (ages 2 and under).
Additionally, the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania will celebrate the 344th birthday of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania with free admission to the Museum. The Charter Day special is scheduled for March 9.
Pennsylvania Charter Day commemorates the granting of the Pennsylvania Charter to William Penn by King Charles II of England on March 4, 1681. This charter established Pennsylvania as a colony and laid the foundation for its government and principles of religious freedom.
Many historical sites and museums across the state, including the Pennsylvania State Archives and the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC) sites, celebrate this day with special programs, free admission, and exhibits showcasing Pennsylvania’s rich history.
The Brandywine Battlefield Park (1491 Baltimore Pike, Chadds Ford, www.brandywinebattlefield.org ) will open for its 2025 season just in time to celebrate Charter Day on March 9.
The park’s website offered this invitation:
Join us for our annual kickoff to the season — Charter Day — where we celebrate Pennsylvania’s 344th birthday with free admission. Visit and learn about William Penn’s Charter for Pennsylvania with historical interpreters, demonstrations, and more.
The free event will run from noon-3 p.m. on March 9.
Pennsbury Manor (400 Pennsbury Memorial Road, Morrisville, 215-946-0400, www.pennsburymanor.org) is celebrating Charter Day on March 9 from 1-4 p.m.
The free program at Pennsbury Manor includes exhibits, Living Theater presentations, blacksmithing, beer brewing, joinery, hearth cooking, and more.
A wonderful display of 17th-century foods will be offered by the cooks, who will be on hand to explain the process of open-hearth cooking.
Tyler Arboretum (515 Painter Road, Media, 610-566-9134, tylerarboretum.org) will have a pair of season events this weekend.
On March 8, the arboretum will present “Saturday Wildflower Walk: Early Spring Edition” from 1-3 p.m.
Wildflower expert Dick Cloud will lead an informative two-hour hike that takes you through meadows, woods, and occasionally streamside.
Another event slated for Saturday is “Weekend Bird Walk with In Color Birding,” which will take place from 8-10 a.m.
Admission is free and binoculars will be provided.
On March 9 at 10 a.m., the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum (8601 Lindbergh Boulevard, Philadelphia, www.fws.gov/refuge/John_Heinz) will host “Bird Walk with Debbie Beer.”
Participants will be able to discover the 300+ species of birds that use the Refuge during their migration routes — each week guarantee different species.
Walk will meet by the Visitor Center and take place at a relaxed pace on flat surfaces.
Longwood Gardens (Route 1, Kennett Square, 610-388-1000, www.longwoodgardens.org) is celebrating the new year with one of its annual special events – “Winter Wonder.”
“Winter Wonder,” which runs now through March 23, celebrates the beauty of winter. It’s all about outdoor spacious, indoor oasis, and the power of story.
Outside, visitors can find a sense of peace and tranquility as they walk past textural grasses, seed heads and the dramatic silhouettes of trees that stretch up into the sky.
Inside, they can bask in a world of warmth that features an overhead garden of hanging baskets adorned with such vibrant beauties as jasmine, cape-primrose, and lipstick-plant.
Visitors will be able to enjoy a paradise of flowers and foliage, bursting with color — all in a beautiful indoor winter wonderland with a tropical twist.
Inside Longwood’s Conservatory, visitors can check out nearly 300 blooming orchids on display in the site’s Orchid House.
Longwood custom grows a staggering 1,300 (and counting) types of plants each year for seasonal indoor displays and outdoor gardens … and each type has its own needs. While Longwood’s team utilizes its horticulture expertise to grow this diverse palette of plants, its innovative greenhouses further the capabilities to grow them precisely and efficiently, all while attending to each plant type’s individual needs.
The gardens are open from Wednesdays through Mondays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. until Friday, March 31. Hours change in the spring.
As always, admission by “Timed Ticket” — tickets issued for specific dates and times. Timed ticketing limits the number of people in the Gardens at any given time and allows guests to enjoy minimal lines and a better viewing experience.
You may enter the Gardens up to 30 minutes prior and 30 minutes after your designated time. Make every effort to arrive at your designated reservation time. Earlier or later arrivals may not be accommodated.
Admission to Longwood Gardens is $25 for adults, $22 for seniors (ages 62 and older) and college students, $18 for active military and veterans and $13 for youth (ages 5-18).
Hagley Museum and Library (Route 141, Wilmington, Delaware, 302-658-2400, www.hagley.org) presents a special event called “Science Saturday” on March 8.
Celebrate International Women’s Day by learning about some of the few women who have traveled to space and their contributions to science!
Visitors of all ages are invited to discover solutions to science and engineering challenges. This is a drop-in activity, feel free to join the fun at any time. Activities are included in admission and free for Hagley members.
The event is scheduled for 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Additionally, there will be a “Walking Tour” on March 10 at 11 a.m.
With the “Walking Tour,” participants can walk through history during an in-depth, 90-minute guided tour each Monday morning from March through December. This week’s theme is “Conserving the Legacy of Women Workers at Lukens Steel.”
Library Conservator Laura Wahl will explain the steps taken to preserve the early 20th century environmental portraits of Lukens workers and demonstrate what the company newsletters reveal about their lives.
“Nation of Inventors” celebrates the American spirit of ingenuity by taking visitors on a journey from the early years of the patent system, in the 1790s, through the “golden age” of American invention, in the late 1800s. The exhibit features more than 120 patent models from Hagley’s unique collection highlighting the diverse stories of inventors from all walks of life.
Patent models are scaled representations of inventions and were part of the patent application process for nearly 100 years. “Nation of Inventors” showcases patent models representing innovations in a variety of industries from transportation and manufacturing to food preservation and medical devices.
“Nation of Inventors” includes patent models from well-known inventors and companies like Ball (Mason Jars), Jim Beam, Bissell, Corliss, Steinway, and Westinghouse. The exhibit presents important topics and timely themes including women inventors, Black inventors, immigrant inventors, improvements in urban living, and the ways Americans learn about and understand progress and change.
“Nation of Inventors” is located on the first two floors of Hagley’s Visitor Center. Visitors can plan to spend about 30 minutes on their self-guided tour of the exhibition.
Admission to Hagley is $20 for adults, $16 for students and seniors (62+) and $10 for children (6-14).
Historic Odessa (Main Street, Odessa, Delaware, 302-378-4119, www.historicodessa.org) is both a scenic and an historic site in Delaware.
On March 1, Historic Odessa reopened for spring tours and celebrates the beginning of its 2025 season.
Known in the 18th-century as Cantwell’s Bridge, Odessa played a vital role in commercial life along the Delaware River as a busy grain shipping port.
Today, visitors can stroll along tree-lined streets and admire examples of 18th- and 19th-century architecture in one of the best-preserved towns in Delaware. They can also tour a remarkable collection of antiques and Americana preserved in period room settings and quaint exhibits.
“Petite Exhibit: Lafayette Ladle” is running now through September 28.
Visitors can celebrate the 200th anniversary of the Marquis de Lafayette’s triumphal return tour of the United States that endured from July 1824 to September 1825 by viewing a rare artifact from his visit on display at the National Historic Register Wilson-Warner House.
The museum collection contains a silver ladle that was presented to an individual as a premium, or prize in the form of money, medals or plate (silver), for the best hearth rug from the Agricultural Society of Maryland.
The exclusive part of the prize involves the presentation from the hand of General Lafayette when he visited Baltimore in December of 1824.
The society held a Cattle Show and Fair for the exhibition and sale where of all kinds of livestock, agricultural implements and domestic manufactures (carpeting, sheeting, linens, stockings, toweling) were judged. While visiting all 24 states at the time, Lafayette traveled over 6000 miles by stagecoach, horseback, canal barge, and steamboat.
Historic Odessa is open to the public from March through December, Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. and Sunday from 1-4 p.m. The site is also open Monday by reservation.
Throughout the month of March, the Betsy Ross House (239 Arch Street, Philadelphia, historicphiladelphia.org) will offer free programming on weekends celebrating Women’s History Month.
Award-winning Once Upon A Nation Storytellers shed light on women’s contributions to our nation’s history that our history books missed.
As always, visitors will meet Betsy Ross as she works in her upholstery shop. She can share the story of the first flag and so much more.
Ross was a business owner, patriot, single mother, and entrepreneur and led a fascinating life during exciting times.
On March 8, Laurel Hill Cemetery (3822 Ridge Avenue, Philadelphia, 215-228-8200, www.thelaurelhillcemetery.org) is presenting a special event called “Hot Spots & Storied Plots.”
In life and death, we all have stories to tell, and what better place to hear tales of wonder than Philadelphia’s most famous home of the dead?
This introductory tour provides an informative overview of Laurel Hill East’s long history, which includes many marble masterpieces, stunning views, and legendary stories that afford the cemetery its WOW factor. An experienced graveyard guide will offer genuine perspective on beautiful art, scenic nature, and fascinating history.
The tour guide on Saturday will be Pat Rose.
Tickets for the event are $15 for adults, $13 for seniors and $10 for youth (ages 6-12).
If you’re looking for a fun family activity – an indoor activity unaffected by the weather — Linvilla Orchards (137 West Knowlton Road, Media, 610-876-7116, www.linvilla.com) has something just for you — the miniature golf course “Fore! the Planet.”
Linvilla Orchard’s “Fore! The Planet” is a highly interactive and playful museum exhibit created by the Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia. This exhibition pairs important environmental issues with the fun of miniature golf.
It features nine unique educational holes — explore butterfly metamorphosis, a tropical rain forest, evolution, dinosaur extinction, food chains, and more. It’s perfect for kids of all ages. The entire family will enjoy playing miniature golf while learning about our environment – every step of the way.
The mini-course is open daily from 9 a.m. -5 p.m. through April 6.
Tickets are $8.
Sesame Place (100 Sesame Road, Langhorne, www.sesameplace.com) may be closed for park rides and activities but there’s still furry fun to be found.
This weekend’s special event will be “Mardi Gras Celebration,” which will be held now through March 9.
Visitors can let the good times roll at Sesame Place’s family-friendly Mardi Gras Celebration.
Guests can join in the festivities and celebrate by dancing along with special strolling entertainment, participating in the Mardi Gras Mask Scavenger Hunt, and much more. They also can enjoy Sesame Street-themed rides and attractions for guests of all ages.
The Sesame Street Mardi Gras Parade is a celebration with everyone’s favorite Sesame Street friends dressed up and ready to shine, and features lively tunes, fancy dancing, and floats decked out in Mardi Gras colors of sparkly purple, green, and gold.
Visitors to Sesame Place can enjoy mouth-watering menu items made famous by the city of New Orleans like beignets and jambalaya.
Come celebrate as they take the celebration of Mardi Gras from New Orleans to Sesame Place.
The Chaddsford Winery (632 Baltimore Pike, Chadds Ford, 610-388-6221, http://www.chaddsford.com) is presenting
“Reserve Tasting – Spring Sips” on Saturdays and Sundays, now through April 19.
The 2025 Pairing Line Up is: Greeting Wine: Pinkette; The White Standard with Goat Rodeo’s fresh Chèvre and Honey;
Chardonnay with Calkins Creamery Noble Brie and Small Batch Kitchen’s Fig Jam; Harbinger with Doe Run Hickory on the Hill cheese washed with Blueberry Wine Lees; and Sangria with a Lemon Macaron.
Reserve seatings are $35 per person.
The “Wine & Cupcake Pairings at Penns Woods” at Penns Wood Winery (124 Beaver Valley Road, Chadds Ford, 610-459-0808, http://www.pennswoodswinery.com) provide a nice way for visitors to enjoy a winter weekend day.
Each weekend in March, the winery will be offering its “Wine & Cupcake Pairings” which includes wines perfectly paired with gourmet cupcakes.
This pairing includes a tasting of four wines perfectly paired with four gourmet miniature cupcakes from Dia Doce in West Chester.
Tickets are $36 per person.
Harvest Ridge Winery (1140 Newark Road, Toughkenamon, www.harvestridgewinery.com) will present “Live Music with A.J. Love” on March 7 at 1 p.m. and “Live Music with Mike Dieleutario” on March 8 at 4:30 p.m.
The event will feature live acoustic music that will let you sit back and relax while sipping on wine.
There will also be a “PA Popcorn Pairing” on March 9 at 1 p.m.
Tickets for the event, which starts at 1 p.m., are $25.
A well-attended Bucks County attraction is the “The Winter Un-wined” at Shady Brook Farm (931 Stony Hill Road, Yardley, www.shadybrookfarm.com).
The event will take place in the Greenhouse and feature live music by local artists. Music is performed from 6:30-9:30 p.m. every Friday and Saturday night now through March 8.
The Stone’s Throw Pub will offer a wide array of locally brewed craft beer, Rose Bank Winery wines, and handcrafted cocktails featuring PA distilled spirits. The free event will also feature hot food items from The Kitchen and Pizza Box.
The Strasburg Rail Road (Route 741, Strasburg, 717-687-7522, www.strasburgrailroad.com) is running a special train on March 8 and 9 – the “Wine & Cheese Train.”
Passengers can enjoy the luxurious, climate-controlled first-class accommodation and a tasting of select wine, cheese, and crackers as they travel in style down the tracks from Strasburg to Paradise and back.
The train departs at 4 and 6 p.m. on Saturday and 4 p.m. on Sunday. The total trip time is 45 minutes.
“Wine & Cheese Train” boarding is 30 minutes before the scheduled departure. Riders must be 21 or older and have their photo ID ready when they board.
Featured wines are carefully selected from Waltz Vineyards, and cheeses are paired accordingly. Beer and select non-alcoholic beverages are also available for purchase upon request. Riders can purchase a souvenir wine glass on board the train if desired. Glasses are $8 each.
In accordance with Pennsylvania law, alcohol is only served during the train ride. The rail line is not permitted to serve alcoholic beverages while the train is berthed in the station.
This popular train is available on select Friday and Saturday evenings throughout the season. Tickets are $79.
Blue Cross RiverRink (Market Street at the Delaware River, Philadelphia, www.riverrink.com) is a great place to enjoy a pleasant winter skate.
Unlike most of the suburban ice rinks, RiverRink features public skating. Ice skating is the only use of this ice rink.
This winter, RiverRink takes the ice-skating experience on the Delaware River waterfront to another level by once again transforming the annual rink into a bona fide winter wonderland.
For three decades, Winterfest has been Philadelphia’s favorite Winter tradition on the Delaware River Waterfront, inviting visitors for a chance to indulge in flights of fancy under thousands of sparkling lights in a winter wonderland with spectacular views of the Delaware River, complete with comforting warming cabins, physically distanced fire pit stations, games for the young and young-at-heart, delicious food and refreshing drinks, the signature holiday tree and — of course — ice skating on an NHL-sized rink.
Another ice-skating option in downtown Philadelphia is Center City Parks District’s Rothman Orthopaedics Institute Ice Rink at Dilworth Park (1 South 15th Street, Philadelphia, http://ccdparks.org/dilworth-park).
It is an unparalleled entertainment experience on Philadelphia’s center stage in a wonderfully urban and unique setting. Open seven days a week, the rink offers wintery fun for all ages, with a full slate of programs.
Ghost Tour of Philadelphia (215-413-1997, www.ghosttour.com), Ghost Tour of Lancaster (717-687-6687, www.ghosttour.com) and Ghost Tour of Strasburg (717-687-6687, www.ghosttour.com) operate throughout the winter and offer an eerily entertaining evening of true ghost stories and real haunted houses.
The Ghost Tour of Philadelphia, which is based on the book, “Ghost Stories of Philadelphia, PA.,” is a candlelight walking tour along the back streets and secret gardens of Independence Park, Society Hill, and Old City, where ghostly spirits, haunted houses, and eerie graveyards abound.
Participants can discover the ghost lore of America’s most historic and most haunted city with stories from the founding of William Penn’s colony to present-day hauntings.
The activity is open year-round – weekends, December-February; every night, March-November. Tickets are $24.
The Ghost Tour of Lancaster and the Ghost Tour of Strasburg are based on the book, “Ghost Stories of Lancaster, PA.”
Participants in the Ghost Tour of Lancaster explore the long-forgotten mysteries of one of America’s oldest cities, with haunting tales of otherworldly vigils, fatal curses, and star-crossed lovers. The tour provides the opportunity to experience 300 years of haunted history from the Red Rose City’s thorny past. Tickets are $20.
The Ghost Tour of Strasburg is a candlelight walking tour of the quaint and historic town of Strasburg in the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch Country. Visitors will experience an entertaining evening with a costumed tour guide spinning tales of haunted mansions, eerie graveyards, and spirits that roam the night … in a town lost in time. Tickets are $20.
Grim Philly’s “Dark Philly History Tour” (www.grimphilly.com) will be held every evening throughout the winter.
Participants can walk with tour guides from the grounds of America’s first White House, Congress, and Liberty Bell to homes and sites of Hamilton, Washington, Franklin, Adams, Jefferson, Madison, Monroe, and more than 10 other Founding-Fathers. The surprising dirt of espionage, murder, sexual license and blackmail highlight the secrets of 1776 with a ghost story or two along the way. This tour is highly researched. And your guide is a historian.
Tickets are $35.
“TreeTrails Adventures Trevose” (301 West Bristol Pike, Trevose, treetrails.com/trevose-pa) is an adventure park full of fun challenges for outdoor adventurers of all ages.
Participants can experience the rush of TreeTrails Adventures as they swing through the trees of the new adventure park. They will be able to discover the excitement of climbing and zip lining above the forest floor with family, friends, co-workers, or teammates.
The park, which is based at Phoenix Sport Club in Bucks County, offers two ways to experience climbing – TreeTrails Adventure Park and KidTrails Park. Young explorers can enjoy miniaturized courses in the adjacent KidTrails Park.
General Park Admission prices are: Main Park Adult Tickets (Ages 12+), $59; Main Park Youth Tickets (Ages 7–11), $51; KidTrails Tickets (Ages 4–7), $12.
